Sol Campbell Doesn't Rule Out Standing To Be Kensington MP

Sol Campbell Gives Coy Response On Whether He Wants To Be A Politician

Ex-England footballer Sol Campbell has indicated he is still considering a political career - and failed to rule out seeking to be the Conservative candidate in the plum London seat being vacated by Sir Malcolm Rifkind.

The former defender, who made his name in the capital playing for Spurs and Arsenal, has been courted by the party and recently lunched with party chairman Grant Shapps amid suggestions he could run for London Mayor.

Asked if he would seek to be selected for Kensington following Sir Malcolm's decision not to stand amid a cash-for-access controversy, Campbell told the Sky News Murnaghan programme: "Step by step. I think about a lot of things."

His comment follows rumours that Campbell would stand as a Tory candidate in a future general election.

In December, he was pictured leaving a meeting with Grant Shapps, the Tory Party Chairman, fuelling speculation just months after a mansion tax row put the ex-England defender firmly in line with Conservative policy.

Shapps told The Sun he was talking to the ex-England defender about an organ donation drive, but refused to comment on his potential candidacy.

In October, Campbell revealed that he was "ready to have a conversation" with the party, hoping to help them secure more of the "black vote".

In September, he tweeted that Labour was "the grim reaper of business entrepreneurs or anyone that has done well", which prompted an onslaught.

On Murnaghan, Campbell, who went on to captain Portsmouth's 2008 FA Cup winning team, backed David Cameron's promise of an in/out referendum on UK membership of the European Union so long as voters "know the facts and figures".

"It's about going in there and getting the facts and figures and making sure the British people know what's happening," he said.

"I look at the eurozone and I look at Germany - the only reason that Germany loves the euro is because they make so much money because the Mark was so expensive."

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